The demolition of seven station cottages on the northbound side of Alnmouth Station to create a 50-space car park, including three bays for disabled drivers, was unanimously approved by Alnwick District Council's development control committee on Tuesday night.

It will mean a huge improvement in disabled access, with passengers able to reach either platform without assistance.

Disabled passengers arriving or departing on the northbound platform must currently arrange to be taken across the track as the footbridge has steps, or continue their journey to Berwick if no member of station staff is available.

And the Aln Valley Railway Society (AVRS) will have access to the northbound platform to continue its work for a heritage train line from Alnmouth to Alnwick.

Speaking after the meeting, Ken Middlemist, a member of the AVRS, said: "I am delighted with the decision. AVRS will be able to get access that it wouldn't have had before."

Congestion and parking problems in the residential areas near the station will also be improved.

And the plans will also benefit Network Rail which currently has to go through Bilton to access the northbound side.

Martin Murphy, chairman of railfuture northeast, spoke in support of the application. He said: "You have before you a win-win proposal that has been welcomed by, among many others, the parish council on behalf of the local community and the rail user group on behalf of the passengers."

Coun John Taylor, ward member for Hedgeley, said: "We are about to give Alnmouth Station a new lease of life, because public transport is now a necessity and, in fact, rail passenger usage from Alnmouth station has mushroomed in the last 10 years – it's absolutely amazing. It will be to the benefit of Alnwick and district and north Northumberland."

If plans stay on the right track, the car park could be completed within the next 12 months. Councillors placed a resolution on the application to work with county council highways to investigate a traffic and parking management scheme on the street near the access to Bilton Road.